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Brunel admits inconsistent France 'still have work to do'
By Online Editors
France coach Jacques Brunel said qualification was his side’s main goal after they secured a World Cup quarter-final place with a narrow 23-21 victory over Tonga in Pool C.
The Pacific Islanders fought back from a 17-point deficit, scoring two second-half tries, but Les Bleus were able to hold on for the win to maintain their 100 per cent record in the tournament.
Speaking after the game, Brunel said, reported by the national rugby website: “What matters tonight is the qualification.
“That was our first goal: it was not easy. There were stages to pass. We passed them: sometimes with difficulty – but we passed them. The first thing to secure, is the qualification, which fully satisfied us.”
On the game he added: “They attacked the game well, had some good chances to score in the first half.
“We wanted to make a better copy. There is still work (to do).”
Tonga have yet to win a match at the tournament so far, but coach Toutai Kefu said he was proud of his side’s efforts.
“We haven’t started games well and it’s definitely an issue for us," Kefu said.
“But I’m definitely proud of what happened after that – the way they stuck in there and put us in a position to maybe win.
“I’m always proud of the boys, the sacrifices they make just to turn up and endure what they endure on tour.”
France will battle it out with England for the Pool C top spot on Saturday while Tonga will play the USA on Sunday in search of their first win.
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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